Procurement at DBT

DBT's purchasing arrangements and information for those looking to become a supplier or contractor.

Objectives

Our procurement objectives are:

  • achieving value for money, which includes the best combination of costs, service delivery and quality, as well as added social value where relevant and proportionate
  • reducing and removing barriers for SMEs in procurement
  • prompt payment of our suppliers and their supply chains

Transforming public procurement

The Procurement Act 2023 will revolutionise the way the public sector buys goods and services, bringing a range of benefits including:

  • creating a simpler and more flexible commercial system that better meets our country’s needs while remaining compliant with our international obligations
  • opening public procurement to new entrants such as small businesses and social enterprises so that they can compete for and win more public contracts
  • taking tougher action on underperforming suppliers and excluding suppliers who pose unacceptable risks
  • embedding transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle so that the spending of taxpayers’ money can be properly scrutinised

Key suppliers and businesses which supply goods, works or services to DBT, as well as new suppliers to government procurement, will need to know about these changes and our plans to prepare for go-live. Find information and guidance for suppliers.

When will the changes happen?

The new regime is due to commence in February 2025. The existing rules will continue to apply for contracts that are already in progress so the changes will not happen overnight.

Learn about the new procurement regime

There is a range of information and resources about the new regime on the transforming public procurement landing page.

Here are some actions you can start to take to prepare:

Contract opportunities

DBT procures goods and services following UK public procurement regulations, ensuring value for money through competition, transparency, non-discrimination, and fair treatment of suppliers.

Commercial agreements

Many government departments, including DBT, use commercial agreements established by Crown Commercial Service (CCS). Businesses can join these agreements to supply goods and services, find out more on the CCS website.

Finding contract opportunities

Lower value contracts

Use Contracts Finder to search for contracts between £12,000 and £139,000 including VAT. You can create an account and get email updates from saved searches.

Higher value contracts

Use the Find a Tender service for contracts typically above £139,000 including VAT.

Find out more about public sector contract opportunities and selling goods or services to the public sector.

Transparency in procurement

Suppliers intending to bid for public sector contracts should be aware of the various transparency requirements including, subject to certain limited exemptions, the obligation to publish details of contracts awarded.

DBT’s commercial pipeline provides a forward look of our anticipated outsourcing activity over the next 18 months. We have included all our major projects and anticipated procurements valued at £2 million or more.

Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

For bidding for government contracts, check SMEs: a guide to working with government.

DBT also helps small businesses showcase their products or services through sponsorship opportunities of our major events. Find out more on the DBT sponsorship page or contact commercialsponsorship@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

For questions about SME procurement, contact our policy team on smeprocurement@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

Public Procurement Review Service (PPRS)

The PPRS provides a route for suppliers (including SMEs) to raise concerns about public procurement practice. Find contact details and information about the scope and remit of PPRS.

The PPRS can support concerns raised by SMEs about public procurement practice.

Find contact details and information about the scope and remit of PPRS.

Social value in procurement

DBT adheres to the Public Services (Social Value) Act which requires departments who procure services to consider social, economic and environmental benefits in procurements. This means we use our procurement and contract management activities to encourage positive social value behaviour and deliver additional value that benefits our citizens, communities or the environment.

Since the introduction of Procurement Policy Note 06/20, our approach is to include specific social value criteria by default to all in-scope contracts. We do this by using the government’s Social Value Model. We select relevant and proportionate themes and policy outcomes, and measurable metrics to ensure delivery during the life of contract.

Tackling modern slavery

DBT undertakes risk assessments of contracts to ensure the risk of modern slavery in the supply chain is appropriately considered and mitigated against.

Government departments have published individual statements, followed by a combined government statement, detailing the measures taken to address modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. Read the government’s 2021 to 2022 modern slavery statement.

Prompt payment

DBT follows the government prompt payment policy to tackle late and unfair payment practices in both public and private sectors. DBT aims to pay 90% of undisputed and valid invoices from SMEs within 5 days. Additionally, 100% of all undisputed and valid invoices should be paid within 30 days.

Read the prompt payment data for DBT.

Where the supplier lets a subcontract in connection with a DBT contract, they must:

  • include similar prompt payment terms to the above in respect of payments to the subcontractor
  • pay the subcontractor invoices within 30 days

Information security

DBT places data protection and information security as one of its highest priorities, therefore information assurance is built into the procurement process, including the use of a third-party assurance process.

Depending on the nature of the procurement and the associated information security risks, suppliers will be asked to demonstrate compliance with best practice standards such as cyber essentials or ISO27001 certification.

As part of the assurance process, suppliers may be asked to complete a self-assessment questionnaire. This enables DBT to understand the suppliers’ security posture and supports contract management. All suppliers and their subcontractors are required to protect DBT’s information in accordance with the government Security Classifications Policy.

Terms and conditions

DBT uses standard terms and conditions for most procurement activities. These include the Cabinet Office Short Form and Mid-Tier Contracts. The selection of the contract depends on the procurement route, as well as the value and complexity of the goods or services being acquired.

Alongside the Procurement Act 2023, DBT will use the Modular Security Schedules in our contracts to ensure security requirements in our contracts are robust and adaptable to different procurement scenarios.

When procuring via a CCS framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system, DBT is required to adhere to the contractual terms stipulated in the respective agreement. A standard version of the public sector contract, which CCS uses as the base for framework agreements and dynamic purchasing systems can be found at the Public Sector Contract collection page. You can review all the details of current CCS agreements.

eSourcing

DBT uses the Jaggaer eSourcing portal, a suite of web-based tools for procurement professionals and suppliers to conduct and manage procurement exercises. It offers a secure and compliant method for managing tendering activities, aiming to reduce the time and effort for both buyers and suppliers.

The eSourcing portal enables users to:

  • register and express an interest in a procurement opportunity
  • participate in tendering activities, downloading, completing and submitting proposals
  • support contract management activities during the contract period

As a potential supplier to DBT you should register with Jaggaer so that you can:

  • view opportunities to tender
  • submit tender responses

Register to use Jaggaer. For help with registration, use the support links on the Jaggaer portal.

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